White House paid commentator to promote law

Vohu Manah · Post by **Vohu Manah** » 2005-01-07 02:05pm

Yahoo News wrote:Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.

The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.

Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."

The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller (news, bio, voting record) of California, called the contract "a very questionable use of taxpayers' money" that is "probably illegal." He said he will ask his Republican counterpart to join him in requesting an investigation.

The contract, detailed in documents obtained by USA TODAY through a Freedom of Information Act request, also shows that the Education Department, through the Ketchum public relations firm, arranged with Williams to use contacts with America's Black Forum, a group of black broadcast journalists, "to encourage the producers to periodically address" NCLB. He persuaded radio and TV personality Steve Harvey to invite Paige onto his show twice. Harvey's manager, Rushion McDonald, confirmed the appearances.

Williams said he does not recall disclosing the contract to audiences on the air but told colleagues about it when urging them to promote NCLB.

"I respect Mr. Williams' statement that this is something he believes in," said Bob Steele, a media ethics expert at The Poynter Institute for Media Studies. "But I would suggest that his commitment to that belief is best exercised through his excellent professional work rather than through contractual obligations with outsiders who are, quite clearly, trying to influence content."

The contract may be illegal "because Congress has prohibited propaganda," or any sort of lobbying for programs funded by the government, said Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. "And it's propaganda."

White House spokesman Trent Duffy said he couldn't comment because the White House is not involved in departments' contracts.

Ketchum referred questions to the Education Department, whose spokesman, John Gibbons, said the contract followed standard government procedures. He said there are no plans to continue with "similar outreach."

Williams' contract was part of a $1 million deal with Ketchum that produced "video news releases" designed to look like news reports. The Bush administration used similar releases last year to promote its Medicare prescription drug plan, prompting a scolding from the Government Accountability Office, which called them an illegal use of taxpayers' dollars.

Williams, 45, a former aide to U.S. Supreme Court (news - web sites) Justice Clarence Thomas (news - web sites), is one of the top black conservative voices in the nation. He hosts The Right Side on TV and radio, and writes op-ed pieces for newspapers, including USA TODAY, while running a public relations firm, Graham Williams Group.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-01-07 02:06pm

"I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."

Yes, I'm also a big believer in making a quarter of a million dollars.

Prozac the Robert · Post by **Prozac the Robert** » 2005-01-07 06:29pm

Please can somebody tell me that bribing the media is illegal?

Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba · Post by **Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba** » 2005-01-07 06:35pm

Yes, the Bush administration is doin fine... Bribing the media to promote them...

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2005-01-07 06:35pm

Prozac the Robert wrote:Please can somebody tell me that bribing the media is illegal?

'fraid not.

Fox also won a case on the grounds that lying to the public is legal.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2005-01-07 06:35pm

Prozac the Robert wrote:Please can somebody tell me that bribing the media is illegal?

I don't think it is

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2005-01-07 06:52pm

Who cares? Billions are spent constantly on lobbyist to promote are sorts of laws and bills and special projects in Washington and elsewhere, and that's been the case for a long time.

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2005-01-07 06:55pm

Sea Skimmer wrote:Who cares? Billions are spent constantly on lobbyist to promote are sorts of laws and bills and special projects in Washington and elsewhere, and that's been the case for a long time.

It's going a bit far when you are just writing a government cheque to the media to lie.

Prozac the Robert · Post by **Prozac the Robert** » 2005-01-07 07:18pm

Keevan_Colton wrote: Fox also won a case on the grounds that lying to the public is legal.

I don't supose you could find me a source for that, maybe with a bit of analysis? I'd be interested to have a look.

Sea Skimmer wrote:Who cares? Billions are spent constantly on lobbyist to promote are sorts of laws and bills and special projects in Washington and elsewhere, and that's been the case for a long time.

That doesn't mean its a good thing. Lots of countries have laws tighter than the US when it comes to money and government, and I think in some ways we do better because of it

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2005-01-07 07:28pm

Prozac the Robert wrote:
Keevan_Colton wrote: Fox also won a case on the grounds that lying to the public is legal.
I don't supose you could find me a source for that, maybe with a bit of analysis? I'd be interested to have a look.

http://www.foxbghsuit.com/

Basically, the FCC's regulations about not falsifing news dont count as laws and therfore arent binding to FOX in terms of the Florida whistleblower law.

The film "The Corporation" has an entire section on it.

Edit:
The relevant part of the court ruling.

Code: Select all

We agree with WTVT that the FCC's policy against the intentional falsification of news - which the FCC has called its "News Distortion Policy" - does not qualify as the required "law, rule or regulation" under section 448.102

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2005-01-07 08:40pm

What is the price of YOUR soul?

His was apparently $240,000.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-01-07 08:41pm

This would not be a problem if people didn't actually care what these "political commentators" say.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2005-01-07 08:56pm

This guy sounds familiar. I believe he host a show called 'The Right Side', where he's been sucking Republican dick since day one.

dr. what · Post by **dr. what** » 2005-01-13 03:52pm

Editorial cartoonists are having way too much fun with this story....